Philip Jaisohn (Seo Jae-pil)


<Biographical Information>
  1. 1864: Philip Jaisohn was born in Bosung, Korea
  2. 1884: Philip Jaisohn leads Kapsin Coup with Kim Okgyun.
    • Seo Jae-pil and Kim Okgyun both pursued the modern political ideas which all people are equal.
  3. 1885: Went to San Francisco with Park Young Hyo and Soh Kwang Bum.
    • He had to flee to save his life because he was convicted for the Kapsin Coup.
    • Began to use "Philip Jaisohn" instead of "Seo Jae-pil"
  4. 1890: Obtained American citizenship.
  5. 1895: Came back to Korea
    • Idea of Independence and Democracy.
    • Began to publish a newspaper to educate people.
  6. 1896: Created the Independence Club
    • Gets together with Rhee Seung-man, Lee Sang-jae
  7. 1897: Built the Independence Hall.
  8. 1898: Proposed the constitution of Congress.
  9. 1947: Returns to Korea for the US Military Government.
    • Controls the southern part of Korea.
  10. 1948: Returns to United States.
  11. 1951: Died.

<Ideological Foundation>
  • Had similar ideas with Kim Okgyun.
  • Wanted to overturn the old regime. He wanted the modern political ideas.
  • Fought for everyone's equality.
  • Disagreed with the notion of an emperor. Based on his political philosophy, there should not be any social status because he wanted everyone to be equal.
  • His beliefs were for Korea's future.

<Who opposed him?>
  • Japanese generals

<Who shared ideas with him?>
  • Kim Okgyun
  • John Wells Hollenbeck
  • Park Young-hyo
  • Lee Sang-jae
  • Rhee Seung-man

<Bibliography>